Shower-bath table



No. 9,873. PATENTED JULY 26, 1853. c. 0. BISBEE. SHOWER BATH TABLE.

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I A H J H u PATENTED JULY 26, 1853.

O. U. BISBBE. SHOWER BATH TABLE.

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PATENTED JULY 26, 1853.

O. G. BISBEE.

SHOWER BATH TABLE.

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

CYRUS O. BISBEE, OF ROCHESTER, NEWV YORK.

SHOWER-BATH TABLE.

Specification of Letters Patent No. 9,873, dated July 26, 1853.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, CYRUS C. BISBEE, of Rochester, in the county of Monroe and State of New York, have invented a new and useful Portable Shower-Bath and Table, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, which form part of this specification, and in which Figure 1, represents a view in perspective of the said apparatus, shut up as a table; Fig. 2 represents a vertical section through the line 00 w of (Fig. 1). Fig. 8 represents a view in perspective of the apparatus opened out as a shower bath. Fig. t represents a top View of the apparatus in the position shown in (Fig. Figs. 5, 6, 7

are respectively views of the elongating standards in different positions; and Fig. 8, is a vertical section of the upper tray and its register valve. 7

My improvements consist in the construction and arrangement of a shower bath, in such manner that, when not in actual use as a bath, it may be converted into a table, adapted to the common uses of such an article of furniture.

The invention herein described, renders the luxury of shower bathing for hygienic purposes, or as a therapeutic-agent, available and convenient in apartments, where other bathing machines would be in bad taste, or occupy too much space.

The apparatus outwardly has the form of a substantial library or dressing table; the

, top consists of a single leaf (A) which is thrown open longitudinally on the hinges (a a) when the bath is to be used; and closed in like manner, after the bathing apparatus has been readjusted. In the center of this leaf, is set a smaller lid (B) opening by the hinges (b b) in the same way as the larger leaf; and beneath this lid is the towelbox (0) attached to the larger leaf. A spring (D) tends to throw the lid open when not held down by a spring catch which can be unlocked by pressure upon the knob (0) when this lid is closed, its upper surface lies in the same plane with that of the larger leaf (A). Opening this larger leaf the shower tray is exhibited, within which the towel-box entered when the leaf was shut. A circular space in the center of the tray is divided into six or any convenient number of equal sectors, alternate ones being pierced with holes of suitable size for the descent of the water. A disk or register valve (F) is supported by the pivot (G) on the under surface of the tray; which valve is formed by cutting out the alternate sectors of a metallic disk, corresponding to the pierced sectors of the tray, but leaving an outer rim to strengthen the three remaining sectors, or arms of the valve, which together with the small circular space around the pivot are lined with leather (6); and by tightening the pivot (G) the valve is made to press closely against the under surface of the tray (E). To the rim of the valve is fastened one branch (H) of a cord which passes through a loop (4)), or over av pulley, at the end of the shower-tray (E), and thence downward; the other branch (H of the cord passes through a similar loop ('0 or pulley at the other end of the tra and downward. The register valve (F) will be turned by pulling on either branch of the cord, so as to open or close the holes pierced in the shower tray (E), and thus begin the shower, graduate its volume or weight, and stop it at will.

The four corners of the shower-tray (E) have projecting ears (I), with short spurs (f) on the lower surface, which enter the ends of elongating standards (K), on which the shower-tray is supported. The legs (L) of the table are made tubular to receive the elongating standards (K). Each standard consists of two concentric racked tubes, in this instance of a hexagonal form, which play up and down, the one sliding in the other, and both in the leg.

A hand crank (M) which may be taken off or put on at pleasure is fitted to the end of the shaft (N) which extends along the under surface of the table, to which it is attached by the brackets (g g) and carries the cog wheels (0 0); these wheels are geared at right angles into two other wheels (P P) which by this means, are made to revolve simultaneously; and the wheels (P P at the other end of their respective shafts (Q. Q) and indeed the whole four P P P P revolve simultaneously. The four elongating standards (K) are geared by their racks to these four wheels and when properly adjusted will be raised or lowered according as the aforesaid crank is turned.

Each of the elongated standards consists of an inner and outer tube so made as not to turn horizontally and bot-h perforated on one side with a series of holes equal and equidistant, to form a kind of rack for the teeth of the pinions P P P P to enter into; near the top of the outer tube is fixed a spring-catch (R) which consists of a lever (it) turning on a pivot the straight spring (a) is fitted into a notch and is so adjusted as to constantly press the terminating spur (1") through the orifice (s) of the outer tube (is) and thus against the surface of the inner tube (K6 and when the inner tube has risen to a certain point, this spur also enters an orifice (s) at the lower end of the inner tube so as to connect both together. At the same instant a springratchet (T) within the lower extremity of the inner tubes (which has hitherto pressed against the inner surface of the larger tube) strikes the edge of the orifice (8 of the larger tube, and tends to prevent the inner tube from rising relatively any higher. The point of the spring-ratchet (T) slopes downward, so as to allow the inner tube to descend without other impediment than friction, as the cog-wheel below is made to revolve.

At the upper extremity of the racks of the outer tube is cut a slot and when the tube is in its lowermost position, this slot is brought down opposite to the wheel and the cogs of the wheel will act through it wholly upon the racks of the inner tube, and this tube alone will move. Suppose the inner tube to have been elevated till the spring catch as in Fig. 6 has struck through its orifice (,9), and connected both tubes together, two or three holes of the rack of the inner tube still occupy the slot in due order with the racks below; but as the tubes are now connected, the slot will be carried up, and the cogs of the wheel will be brought to engage with the holes of the rack of the outer tube which will continue to be elevated, carrying up with it the protruded inner tube and the tray resting thereon; the standards will be prevented from slipping back by a pawl (U) pivoted to the back of the table, which engages with ratchet teeth or holes in the wheel On reversing the motion of the crank, the outer tube will descend again, till the slot (m) has come down to the cog wheel as before, and at this instant the arm (h) of the spring catch strikes the inclined plane (of) and the spur (1) at the extremity of the arm (7b) is withdrawn from the orifice of the inner tube, which being now disengaged from the outer tube descends freely, as its racks are acted upon by the cogs of the wheel through the slot. The operation of elevating the four elongating standards bearing up the shower tray, to the desired height, and their depression after the bath is but a repetition of what is here described. The lower tray (J) is of a similar form, but somewhat larger than the upper or shower tray and from its four corners proceed four cords (w) of suitable length, which are attached to four equal barrels (V) upon the shafts, (g g) and these barrels are of such circumference, that when by turning the crank (M) the shower tray has risen to the proper height, the lower tray has descended to the floor. On reversing the motion of the crank, as the lower tray rises to its position, on a level with the top of the table the shower tray descends at the same time, and rests within it. Then on bringing over the table leaf, the towel boX is shut into the shower tray; the three being thus packed in the smallest space.

The lower tray has an orifice in the bottom for drawing off water, after it has been raised to a convenient height; and at its four corners are attached four feet, upon which it rests when in actual use. The foot tray is also connected with the shower tray by a curtain (W) of oiled silk, or other suitable material, opening in front from top to,

bottom, and sliding upon two rods, above and below, so as to prevent the water from splashing out of the tray. The front rail of the table frame is secured at one end to the leg by hinges (q Q) and fastened by a latch or catch at the other end, thus affording ready access within the bathing curtain. When the standards are contracted within the legs and the trays packed together, the curtain lies in the foot tray beneath the shower tray.

It is obvious that various modifications may be made in the form and arrangementof the several parts of the apparatus to adapt it to different circumstances, without any departure from the principle of my invention, but it is not deemed necessary here to describe them, as they will be sufficiently obvious to any competent constructor.

hat I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is- The combination of the upper and lower tray substantially as herein described so that they shall simultaneously recede from each other to elevate the water and set up the bath, and approach each other to pack away the bath and convert the apparatus into a table.

CYRUS C. BISBEE.

Witnesses M. M. MATHEWS, vV LLIAM H. Srmans. 

